Your website is now regulated by the ASA

The remit of the UK Advertising Standards Authority now extends to online communications. So as a company, if you have any online communication - whether it is your website, your Facebook page or Twitter stream - anything you control, it now must meet the Committe for Advertising Practice Code.

Generally speaking you should be OK - but do be aware of how you communicate over your website and media channels. Marketing communications online are now subject to rules to keep them legal, decent, honest and truthful. This appears to cover everything on your site - although it does exclude some stuff like editorialising.

The CAP website says "Advertisements and other marketing communications by or from companies, organisations or sole traders on their own websites, or in other non-paid-for space online under their control, that are directly connected with the supply or transfer of goods, services, opportunities and gifts, or which consist of direct solicitations of donations as part of their own fund-raising activities."

It seems that 'editorial, press releases, investor relations' and such material stays out of their remit - but you need to make sure that this is clear on your website.

For more information take a look at the 'landmark agreement' which makes this all happen. Just one more thing to think about regardless of who you are and what your size is.

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